UPDATE: 16:30 – 21 January 2021
MISSOULA – Missoula County is about to see changes to the COVID-19 restrictions, as the City-County Board of Health on Thursday approved changes to existing guidelines.
The changes now allow restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos to stay open until 10pm. Other changes include increasing the current capacity constraints and allowing eight people to sit at the table.
The reviews have been under consideration since early November after a group of about 70 bar and restaurant owners approached health officials to find a way to keep pubs open later in the night.
The group, called Revive Missoula, says they are excited to hear their voices.
Kyle Riggs of the Pangea Restaurant Group says because they opened during the pandemic, they have never been able to stay as late as they wanted.
“It’s great that they’re giving back time to everyone, which does not necessarily translate into guests. People are now so conditioned to close at 10am and they have to be home and stuff like that,” Riggs said.
‘The world has changed significantly for staff, guests and everyone. It will take a while before people get used to it, ‘he added.
Riggs says he will give it a few weeks before trying to stay open until 2 a.m., but he is ready to start closing by midnight.
The changes to Missoula County’s COVID-19 restrictions take effect Friday.
(first report: 13:30 – 21 January 2021)
The Missoula City-County Board of Health has voted to approve the amendment to some of the existing COVID-19 restrictions.
The approved changes include removing the closing time for restaurants, pubs, breweries, distilleries and casinos, changing the current capacity constraints and allowing eight people to sit at the table.
The rule changes take effect on Friday.
The reviews have been under consideration since early November after a group of about 70 bar and restaurant owners approached health officials to find a way to keep pubs open later in the night.
This is an evolving story. Check back for updates.